US 12,241,370 B1
Systems and methods for automated drilling of high aspect ratio, small diameter holes in remote, confined spaces
Stephen Buerger, Albuquerque, NM (US); Michal Rittikaidachar, Albuquerque, NM (US); Clinton G. Hobart, Albuquerque, NM (US); Jonathon Slightam, Albuquerque, NM (US); Jiann-Cherng Su, Albuquerque, NM (US); and Giorgia Bettin, Rio Rancho, NM (US)
Assigned to National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, Albuquerque, NM (US)
Filed by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, Albuquerque, NM (US)
Filed on May 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/743,133.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/188,061, filed on May 13, 2021.
Int. Cl. E21B 7/04 (2006.01); E21B 4/04 (2006.01); E21B 47/00 (2012.01); E21B 47/005 (2012.01)
CPC E21B 7/046 (2013.01) [E21B 4/04 (2013.01); E21B 47/00 (2013.01); E21B 47/005 (2020.05)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A compact drill assembly for drilling high aspect ratio, small diameter holes in a confined space having a confined dimension and a non-confined dimension, the assembly comprising:
a housing having a geometry that allows insertion into the confined space;
a rotatable drilling spindle that includes an actuated locking collet assembly arranged and disposed to selectively secure and release a bendable bit;
a bit conveying arrangement comprising a bit brake, the bit conveying arrangement configured to convey the bendable bit along the non-confined dimension and along the confined dimension through the actuated locking collet assembly; and
a drill drive arranged and disposed to advance the bendable bit along the confined dimension;
wherein the bendable bit undergoes a bend when being conveyed via the bit conveying arrangement;
wherein the bendable bit undergoes a bend between the bit brake and the actuated locking collet assembly;
wherein the confined dimension is a first distance in a first direction between first structures defining the confined space; and
wherein the non-confined dimension is in a second distance in a second direction wherein the non-confined space is not bordered by the first structures in the direction from which the rotatable drilling spindle enterers from the non-confined dimension.